Double Barrel Syringe and Associated Methods

ABSTRACT

An apparatus that includes two syringes, or a “double barrel syringe,” includes one syringe that injects or infuses while the other syringe aspirates. The double barrel syringe is a hand-held, hand-operated device with which injection and aspiration may be effected by a single action. The double barrel syringe may include a handle with two member. A first member includes one arm that pivotally couples to a plunger of a first syringe and another arm that pivotally couples to a barrel of a second syringe. A second member of the handle includes one arm that pivotally couples to a barrel of the first syringe and another arm that pivotally couples to a plunger of the second syringe. Methods for injecting or infusing simultaneously with aspirating are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S. C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/853,878, filed Oct. 24,2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein, in itsentirety, by this reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to apparatus that include two syringes, orto “double barrel syringes,” with one syringe that injects or infuseswhile the other syringe aspirates. In particular, the present inventionrelates to hand-held, hand-operated double barrel syringes in whichinjection and aspiration may be effected by a single action. Moreparticularly, double barrel syringes that incorporate teachings of thepresent invention include handles that resemble pliers to provide amechanical advantage as fluids are simultaneously injected and aspiratedby the barrels and their cooperating plungers.

SUMMARY

The present invention includes an apparatus with two syringes. Barrelsof the two syringes are positioned adjacent to one another. Two plungersare disposed in or otherwise associated with the two barrels. Suchapparatus are referred to herein as “double barrel syringes” or, moresimply, as “syringes.”

Both barrels and plungers of a syringe according to the presentinvention are associated with a single handle. The handle may comprise aplier-grip handle. Without limiting the scope of the present invention,the handle may include two members that include features that areassociated with a first of the two syringes in the manner described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,041,084 or the manner described in U.S. application Ser.No. 11/431,377, filed May 9, 2006, the disclosures of both of which arehereby incorporated herein, in their entireties, by this reference. Themembers of the handle may also include features that are associated witha second of the two barrels in the manner described in U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/431,420, filed May 9, 2006, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated herein, in its entirety, by this reference. Thehandles and syringes are arranged in a manner that facilitatesconcurrent movement of the plungers in opposite directions.

For example, when members of the handle are moved toward one another,the first plunger may be forced into its corresponding barrel (e.g.,injection or infusion), while the second plunger may be drawn out of itscorresponding barrel (e.g., aspiration).

Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art throughconsideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, andthe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which depict features of various aspects of the presentinvention:

FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of double barrelsyringe according to the present invention, showing handle members ofthe syringe in an intermediate position, in which distal ends ofplungers are located in somewhat central regions of both barrels;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of double barrelsyringe shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective assembly view of the embodiment of doublebarrel syringe shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a rear plan assembly view of the embodiment of double barrelsyringe shown in FIGS. 1 through 3;

FIGS. 5 through 8 illustrate the embodiment of double barrel syringeshown in FIGS. 1 through 4 with the handles in a closed orientation:

FIG. 5 is a view of the left side of the syringe;

FIG. 6 shows the right side of the syringe;

FIG. 7 depicts the top of the syringe; and

FIG. 8 illustrates the back of the syringe;

FIGS. 9 through 12 depict the embodiment of double barrel syringe shownin FIGS. 1 through 8 with the handles in an open orientation:

FIG. 9 shows the left side of the syringe;

FIG. 10 illustrates the right side of the syringe;

FIG. 11 depicts the top of the syringe; and

FIG. 12 is a view of the back of the syringe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, and embodiment of asyringe 10 that includes an infusion syringe 200 and an aspirationsyringe 300 is shown. Infusion syringe 200 and aspiration syringe 300are positioned side-by side, with their distal ends 97 and 163 orientedin substantially the same direction.

A single pair of handles 20 is associated with, and simultaneouslyoperates, infusion syringe 200 and aspiration syringe 300. The pair ofhandles 20 includes a first, front member 30 and a second, rear member40. Front member 30 includes a proximal portion 31 with a surface thatis configured to be grasped by the fingers of one of a user's hands, andmay optionally include a ring 24 located and configured to receive theuser's index finger. A proximal portion 41 of rear member 40 isconfigured to be grasped by the thumb and palm of the same hand, and mayoptionally include a retention feature 26 for receiving the thumb onthat hand.

Front member 30 and rear member 40 are pivotally connected to oneanother by way of a hinge 22, which is positioned at locations along thelengths of front member 30 and second member 40 that will provideoptimal leverage when the pair of handles 20 is used. Without limitingthe scope of the present invention, the location of hinge 22 mayresemble the location of a hinge on pliers, with the lengths of distalportions 33 and 43 of front member 30 and rear member 40, respectively,being relatively short compared to (e.g., about half the lengths of) thelengths of proximal portions 31 and 41. Such an arrangement provides auser with a mechanical advantage.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pair of handles 20 may beformed from four assembled pieces 50, 80, 120, and 140. The outer pieces50 and 140 may be assembled to form front member 30 of the pair ofhandles 20, while the inner pieces 80 and 120 may be assembled to formrear member 40.

The two left side pieces 50 and 80 of the pair of handles 20 (FIGS. 1and 2) shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are configured to operate an infusionsyringe 200 (FIGS. 1 and 2). When proximal portions 31 and 41 of frontmember 30 and rear member 40, respectively, are squeezed or otherwiseforced together, the two left-most pieces 50 and 80 of the pair ofhandles 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2) shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are configured toforce a plunger 72 (FIG. 7) distally into a receptacle 98 of the barrel96 of an aspiration syringe 200 (FIG. 1).

The two right side pieces 120 and 140 of the pair of handles 20 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 are configured to operate an aspiration syringe 300 (FIG.1). When proximal portions 31 and 41 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of front member 30and rear member 40 of handles 20 are squeezed or otherwise forcedtogether, pieces 120 and 140 draw a plunger 136 (FIG. 11) of aspirationsyringe 300 proximally out of a receptacle 164 of the barrel 162 ofaspiration syringe 300.

The features of handles 30 and 40, as well as their association withsyringes 200 and 300 will now be described in further detail.

As FIG. 3 shows, the outer left piece 50 of handles 20, which forms halfof front handle 30 (FIGS. 1 and 2), includes proximal portion 51, anintermediate portion 52, and a distal portion 53. When viewed from theside (see, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 9), piece 50 is slightly angled (e.g., atan angle of about 15° to about 30°) to facilitate grasping of handles 20by a single hand, although it may be substantially straight. Proximalportion 51 of piece 50 is configured to be grasped by fingers of auser's hand, and may include a feature 54, such as a ring, that isconfigured to receive the user's index finger. Intermediate portion 52of piece 50 includes features 55 that are configured to secure piece 50to other pieces 80, 120, 140 of handles 20, such as the depictedaperture for receiving a pivot element of hinge 22 (FIG. 2). In theillustrated embodiment of piece 50, a line extending from a distal-mostend of piece 50 to the most proximal end of piece 50 will intersect orcome in close proximity to (e.g., within about a centimeter of) a pivotaxis of hinge 22. Distal portion 53 of piece 50 may be pivotally securedto a plunger 72 of infusion syringe 200 (FIG. 1).

In this regard, as depicted in FIG. 7, distal portion 53 may include afirst arm 62 that pivotally engages one side of a proximal end 71 ofplunger 72 and another arm 58 that pivotally engages another side ofproximal end 71. In the depicted embodiment, arm 62 is merely the distalend of distal portion 53 of piece 50, while arm 58 protrudes upwardly,in substantially parallel relation to arm 62, from a ledge 57 extendslaterally (to the left, when viewed from behind, as shown in FIGS. 8 and12) from distal portion 53. Each arm 58, 62 includes a receptacle 60, 64that engages and pivotally retains a pivot element 68, 70 protrudinglaterally from a proximal end 71 of plunger 72. As illustrated, pivotelements 68 and 70 may comprise circular protrusions with centers thatare aligned with the centers of circular hinge receptacles 60 and 64,with all four aligned centers defining an axis about which distal end 53of piece 50 and proximal end 71 of plunger 72 pivot relative to oneanother.

With returned reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the inner left piece 80 ofhandles 20, which forms half of rear handle 40 (FIG. 1), may be slightlyangled (e.g., at an angle of about 15° to about 30°) to facilitategrasping of handles 20 by a single hand, although it may also besubstantially straight. Like piece 50, piece 80 includes a proximalportion 81, an intermediate portion 82, and a distal portion 83.Proximal portion 81 is configured to be held by a thumb and palm of auser's hand. Piece 80 may also include a thumb retention feature 84,such as that appearing at a back edge of the illustrated embodiment.Intermediate portion 82 may include features 85, such as the depictedopening, that enable piece 50 to be pivotally secured to other pieces80, 120, 140 of handles 20, such as with the pivot element of hinge 22(FIG. 2). In the embodiment of piece 80 shown in FIG. 3, a line thatextends from a distal-most end of piece 80 to the most proximal end ofpiece 80 will intersect or come in close proximity to (e.g., withinabout a centimeter of) a pivot axis of hinge 22. Distal portion 83 ofpiece 80 may be pivotally secured to a proximal end of a barrel 96 ofinfusion syringe 200 (FIG. 1).

An embodiment of the manner in which distal portion 83 of piece 80 maybe pivotally secured to the proximal end of barrel 96 is shown in FIGS.3 and 7. Distal end 83 may include a pair of arms 86 and 92 that engageopposite sides of the proximal end of barrel 96 in a cradle-likearrangement. As illustrated, one arm 86 may merely comprise an extensionof distal end 83, while the other arm 92 protrudes from a ledge 90 thatextends laterally (to the left, when viewed from behind, as shown inFIGS. 8 and 12) from distal end 83. Arms 86 and 92 may includereceptacles 88 and 94 that engage and pivotally retain pivot elements102 and 106 that protrude from proximal extensions 100 and 104 onopposite sides of barrel 96. As depicted, pivot elements 102 and 106 maybe circular in shape, or disk-shaped, so as to be received by, butrotate relative to, circular receptacles 88 and 94. Centers ofreceptacles 88 and 94 and of pivot elements 102 and 106 may be alignedto define an axis about which distal end 83 of piece 80 and a proximalend of barrel 96 pivot relative to one another.

When piece 50 and piece 80 are assembled with one another, plunger 72 isdisposed within a receptacle 98 of barrel 96.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the inner right piece 120 of handles20 is bent. Piece 120 includes a proximal portion 121, an intermediateportion 122, and a distal portion 123. Proximal portion 121 isconfigured to be held by a the thumb and palm of the user's hand, andmay include a thumb retention feature 124. Intermediate portion 122includes an elbow that juts out from a front edge of piece 120. Theelbow of intermediate portion 122 may include a feature 125, such as thedepicted aperture, that is configured to secure piece 120 to otherpieces 50, 80, 140 of handles 20. When feature 125 is an aperture, asdepicted, it may be configured to receive a pivot element of hinge 22(FIG. 2). In the illustrated embodiment of piece 120, feature 125 and apivot axis through piece 120 are offset (e.g., by more than about onecentimeter, by about two centimeters or more, etc.) from a line thatextends from a distal-most end of piece 120 to the most proximal end ofpiece 120. Distal portion 123 of piece 120 may be pivotally secured to aplunger 136 of aspiration syringe 300 (FIG. 1).

Turning now to FIG. 11, and with additional reference to FIGS. 3 and 4,an end 128 of distal portion 123 of piece 120 includes a hub 130 thatprotrudes laterally (to the right in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4and 11) from end 128. Hub 128 defines an axis about which piece 120pivots relative to plunger 136. Plunger 136 includes a receptacle 134 atits proximal end. Receptacle 134, which is configured to receive hub 128and to rotate about hub 128, may have an annular appearance, with theremainder of plunger 136 extending distally therefrom.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the outer right piece 140 of handles 20 isbent. Piece 140 includes a proximal portion 141, an intermediate portion142, and a distal portion 143. Proximal portion 141 is configured to begrasped by the fingers of a user's hand, and may include a feature 144,such as a ring, that is configured to receive the user's index finger.Intermediate portion 142 may have an L-shape, and includes an elbow thatjuts out from a back edge of piece 140. Intermediate portion 142 mayalso include a feature 145, such as the depicted pivot element of hinge22 (FIG. 2), that is configured to define an axis about which frontmember 30 and rear member 40 of handles pivot relative to one another.Feature 145 may secure piece 140 to other pieces 50, 80, 120 of handles20. In the illustrated embodiment of piece 140, due to the shape ofintermediate portion 142, a pivot axis through feature 145 may be offset(e.g., by more than about one centimeter, by about two centimeters ormore, etc.) from a line that extends from a distal-most end of piece 140to the most proximal end of piece 140. Distal portion 143 of piece 140may be pivotally secured to a barrel 162 of aspiration syringe 300 (FIG.1).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, a proximal end of barrel 162 may be cradledbetween opposed, distally protruding arms 152 and 158 of distal portion143 of piece 140. More specifically, circular apertures 154 and 160 thatextend through, or similar features (e.g., circular recesses in opposedsurfaces of), arms 152 and 158 may receive and retain disk-shapedprotrusions 168 and 172 on oppositely facing surfaces of proximalextensions 166 and 170 that are located on opposite sides of barrel 162.As illustrated, arm 158 may comprise an extension of distal portion 143,while arm 152 protrudes from a ledge 148 that extends laterally (to theright, as depicted in FIGS. 4, 8, and 12) from distal portion 143.

When piece 120 and piece 140 are assembled with each other, plunger 136is disposed within a receptacle 164 of barrel 162.

Again returning reference to FIG. 3, the inner left piece 80 may includean extension 108 that protrudes from a rear edge of intermediate portion82. Extension 108 may include a somewhat circular shaped distal end 109.When pieces 80 and 120 are assembled with each other and secured to oneanother, distal end 109 of extension 108 is axially aligned with distalend 128 of piece 120. This arrangement is configured to support distalend 128 when syringe 10 is used.

With returned reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, when all of the pieces 50, 80,120, and 140 of handles 20 are assembled with each other, pivotallyconnected front and rear members 30 and 40 are formed. The features offront member 30 (which, in the depicted embodiment, is formed by theouter pieces 50 and 140) form a yoke 32. A first arm 34 (on the leftside of syringe 10 in the illustrated embodiment) of yoke 32 may bepivotally connected to the proximal end of plunger 72 of infusionsyringe 200. A second arm 36 (on the right side of syringe 10 in theillustrated embodiment) of yoke 32 may be pivotally connected to theproximal end of barrel 162 (FIG. 3) of aspiration syringe 300.

The features of rear member 40 (which, in the depicted embodiment, isformed by inner pieces 80 and 120) also form two arms 44 and 46. Arms 44and 46 extend though yoke 32, between arms 34 and 36. A first arm 44 (onthe left side of syringe 10 in the illustrated embodiment) may bepivotally connected to the proximal end of barrel 96 of infusion syringe200. A second arm 46 (on the right side of syringe 10 in the illustratedembodiment) may be pivotally connected to the proximal end of plunger136 (FIG. 3) of aspiration syringe 300.

The pivotal connections between the proximal ends of plungers 72 and136, barrels 96 and 162 and their corresponding members 30 and 40 ofhandles 20 may be arranged such that the axes about which pivotingoccurs are perpendicular to and intersect central axes extending alongthe lengths of plungers 72 and 136 and barrels 96 and 162.

In use, handles 20 of a syringe 10 that incorporates teachings of thepresent invention may be moved from an open position, where proximalends 31 and 41 of front and rear members 30 and 40, respectively, arepositioned apart from one another, to a closed orientation, whereproximal ends 31 and 41 are brought in close proximity to each other.When handles 20 are in a fully open orientation, as shown in FIGS. 9through 12, a distal end 73 of plunger 72 of infusion syringe 200 islocated at a proximal end of receptacle 98 of barrel 96, while plunger136 is completely inserted into a receptacle 164 of barrel 162 ofaspiration syringe 300, with a distal end 137 of plunger 136 located ata distal end of receptacle 164. As handles 20 are moved toward theclosed orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2, which show handles 20 inan intermediate orientation), plunger 72 moves distally into receptacle98 of barrel 96, while plunger 136 is withdrawn proximally throughreceptacle 164 of barrel 162. Plungers 96 and 136 may be continuouslymoved through substantially the entire lengths of the receptacles 98 and164 of their corresponding barrels 96 and 162 with a single squeeze ofhandles 20. When handles 20 are in a fully closed orientation, as shownin FIGS. 5 through 8, plunger 72 is completely inserted into receptacle98 of barrel 96, with distal end 73 of plunger 72 being located at adistal end of receptacle 98, while distal end 137 of plunger 136 islocated at a proximal end of receptacle 164 of barrel 162.

Due to the configuration of handles 20 in the illustrated embodiment,when handles 20 are actuated, injection syringe 200 and aspirationsyringe 300 may move somewhat in opposite directions.

Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, butmerely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferredembodiments. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention may bedevised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the presentinvention. Features from different embodiments may be employed incombination. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated andlimited only by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, ratherthan by the foregoing description. All additions, deletions andmodifications to the invention as disclosed herein which fall within themeaning and scope of the claims are to be embraced thereby.

1. A double barrel syringe, comprising: an infusion syringe, including: a barrel; and a plunger associated with the barrel; an aspiration syringe, including: a barrel positioned adjacent to the barrel of the infusion syringe; a plunger associated with the barrel of the aspiration syringe; and handles, including: a first member pivotally connected to: a proximal end of the plunger of the infusion syringe; and the barrel of the aspiration syringe; and a second member pivotally connected to: the barrel of the infusion syringe; and a proximal end of the plunger of the aspiration syringe.
 2. The double barrel syringe of claim 1, wherein the barrel of the infusion syringe and the barrel of the aspiration syringe include distal ends pointing in substantially the same direction.
 3. The double barrel syringe of claim 1, the first and second members of the handles have an open orientation, in which the first and second members are spaced as far as possible apart from each other, and a closed orientation, in which the first and second members are position as close as possible to one another.
 4. The double barrel syringe of claim 3, wherein: with the handles in the open orientation: a distal end of the plunger of the infusion syringe is positioned at a proximal end of the barrel of the infusion syringe; and the plunger of the aspiration syringe is completely inserted in the barrel of the aspiration syringe; and with the handles in the closed orientation: the plunger of the infusion syringe is completely inserted in the barrel of the infusion syringe; and a distal end of the plunger of the aspiration syringe is positioned at a proximal end of the barrel of the aspiration syringe.
 5. The double barrel syringe of claim 1, wherein the first and second members of the handles are pivotally connected to one another.
 6. The double barrel syringe of claim 1, wherein: the first member of the handles includes: a first piece pivotally connected to the proximal end of the plunger of the infusion syringe; and a second piece pivotally connected to the barrel of the aspiration syringe; and the second member of the handles includes: a first piece pivotally connected to the barrel of the infusion syringe; and a second piece pivotally connected to the proximal end of the plunger of the aspiration syringe.
 7. The double barrel syringe of claim 5, wherein: the first and second pieces of the first member of the handles are rigidly secured to one another; and the first and second pieces of the second member of the handles are rigidly secured to one another.
 8. The double barrel syringe of claim 5, wherein a distal end of the first member of the handles forms a yoke between which a distal end of the second member of the handles extends.
 9. A method for simultaneously injection or infusing and aspirating, comprising: pivoting two members of a handle of a syringe relative to one another, a first element of a first member of the two members moving a plunger of a first syringe relative to a barrel of the first syringe, a second element of the first member holding a barrel of a second syringe; a first element of a second member of the two members holding the barrel of the first syringe; and a second element of the second member moving a plunger of the second syringe relative to the barrel of the second syringe, with the plunger of the first syringe and the plunger of the second syringe moving in opposite directions.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein pivoting two members comprises moving proximal ends of the two members toward one another.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein pivoting two members comprises moving proximal ends of the two members away from one another.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein pivoting two members comprises: grasping a proximal end of the first member with fingers of a single hand holding a proximal end of the second member with a thumb and palm of the single hand; and using the single hand to move the proximal ends of the first and second members toward or away from each other.
 13. Handles for a syringe, comprising: a first member including: a proximal portion configured to be grasped by a first part of a user's hand; an intermediate portion adjacent to the proximal portion and including two spaced apart elements; and a distal portion including two spaced apart arms extending from the two spaced apart elements of the intermediate portion; a second member including: a proximal portion configured to be grasped by a second part of a user's hand; an intermediate portion adjacent to the proximal portion; and a distal portion adjacent to the intermediate portion and including two arms located between the two spaced apart elements of the intermediate portion of the first member or between the two spaced apart arms of the distal portion of the first member; and a hinge pivotally connecting the intermediate portion of the first member and the intermediate portion of the second member to one another.
 14. The handles of claim 13, wherein the proximal portions of the first and second members are configured to be moved toward and away from one another.
 15. The handles of claim 13, wherein: a first arm of the two spaced apart arms of the distal portion of the first member is configured to pivotally couple to a barrel of a first syringe; a second arm of the two spaced apart arms of the distal portion of the first member is configured to pivotally couple to a barrel of a second syringe; a first arm of the two arms of the distal portion of the second member is configured to pivotally couple to a barrel of the first syringe; and a second arm of the two arms of the distal portion of the second member is configured to pivotally couple to a plunger of the second syringe. 